When will the Uber/Grabcar and taxi drivers conflict end? Not anytime soon, it seems.
In the latest twist to the story, a woman named Ms. Liong revealed that a taxi driver intentionally provoked and insulted her as he mistook her for an Uber driver. She approached Sin Chew Metro, who highlighted her plight which happened on 2nd July near NSK Trade City in Kuchai Lama.
According to the 29-year-old, it was around 1pm when she was waiting for her friend at an alley near the supermarket. Not long later, a taxi stopped behind her car and sounded the car horn twice, indicating that she was obstructing traffic and asked her to move to a spot in front of the taxi. However, she refused to move, as she believed that moving her car would only cause her to block incoming cars.
Seconds later, her friend arrived and kindly asked the taxi driver if they were obstructing his car, only for him to rudely answer, “No matter what, you shouldn’t have stopped here, if you don’t leave immediately, I’ll make sure you get in trouble!” To avoid further arguments, Ms. Liong drove off.
Just as they were turning into a junction, the taxi driver overtook and blocked their car. He began cursing at them and blamed Uber drivers for his loss of business. Ms. Liong tried to explain that she wasn’t a Uber driver, but to no avail.
The taxi driver then insisted that Ms. Liong alight from her car and proceeded to bend and distort her side mirror and windscreen wipers. He then continued provoking her by splashing a bottle of transparent liquid on her car.
Fearing for her safety, she recorded the scene and called the police. Fortunately, the police arrived in a timely manner and the taxi driver was persuaded to leave. Ms. Liong then lodged a report at the Brickfields Police Headquarters.
There has been a rise in cases of taxi drivers terrorising alleged Uber or Grabcar drivers in recent months. We strongly believe that it is uncouth for the former to resort to violence no matter how drastic the situation is. Brute force will only serve to aggravate the situation and turn customers against them.
We sincerely hope that the laws regarding all ride-sharing services such as Uber and Grabcar will be finalised soon so that the number of conflicts between both parties will be reduced, and one day, cease to exist.
Source: Sin Chew Daily.
